U.S. could use Wondolowski's nose for the goal

Updated 10:17 pm, Thursday, April 10, 2014

Apr 2, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; USA forward Chris Wondolowski (17) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half against Mexico during a friendly match at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports less

Apr 2, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; USA forward Chris Wondolowski (17) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half against Mexico during a friendly match at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: ... more

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, Reuters

U.S. could use Wondolowski's nose for the goal

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If a soccer jury was impaneled, it could be convinced that the Earthquakes' Chris Wondolowskimust be included on the U.S. national team for the World Cup in Brazil.

Examine the prima facie evidence: nine goals in his past 10 games for the national squad. But numbers count for only part of the argument.

The World Cup is not a season, but a short campaign. Painfully short for some teams - qualifiers play a minimum of three games, and elimination can be certain after two defeats. So when opportunity knocks, teams must take it. Reward turns on a dime. Wondolowski has the coin.

He breaks free from his marker and opens up space, appearing as if by magic at the right moment to score. You will find him hovering around the 6-yard box; a yard is all he needs to execute. You'll miss him 10 paces from the goal, until his foot rockets the ball past the goalie. Wondolowski is fearless.

There is no jury, only a judge: Jurgen Klinsmann, the men's national team coach. He decides. Perhaps he'll look back to the 1970 and 1974 World Cups. His compatriot, Gerd Muller of West Germany, inked his legend into World Cup history, scoring 10 times during the 1970 tournament and the game winner in the 1974 final. Muller's versatility and speed were matched by his instinct to poach goals from tight spaces, a magic art. Devastating against defenses, his moniker was Der Bomber.

Not that Wondo fits Muller's shoes, or his style, but what he possesses runs similar - a nose for the goal. And when a team sets out on a trail, you need that guy to sniff out chances and bag them in the net.

Imagine him as a talisman. Even if Wondo starts on the bench, who could deny the logic of bringing him on in a game when the U.S. finds itself losing with little time left? San Jose is known for its game-saving goals in the dying seconds, a never-say-die attitude on which Wondolowski feeds. And when he wears the U.S. colors, he'll drain every drop of sweat for the flag. At the World Cup, that's a premium. Call him up for the country, Jurgen.

Bottle it like Beckham: What does a man do on his retirement? One idea: drink Scotch. Retiree David Beckhamis adding his brand power to Scotland's nectar. Haig Club Scotch has just signed a deal with Becks (the man, not the beer). The single-grain whisky - translate that as made for tongues not so keen on the whiplash of a strong Islay single malt - comes in a blue bottle. Don't confuse it with cologne if you keep your stash around your personal toiletries.

The taste combines butterscotch and toffee. Becks says he is "proud to be working at the heart of a homegrown brand which has built an incredible heritage over 400 years." Some Scots may find it too sticky for consumption when England's former captain refers to Scotch as "homegrown."

Champions League: The UEFA Champions League semifinals are set. Chelsea, coached by Jose Mourinho, stormed again, overcoming Paris Saint-Germain's barricade with a two-goal win. The "Special One" employed three strikers in the second half and the dividend paid out. All three were involved in the crucial goal, scored by Demba Bain the 86th minute. It prompted me to wonder if playing three all-out strikers more often is a tactic teams should explore.

And hail the mavericks, Atletico Madrid. A great football team, they sent Barcelona packing. They join crosstown rival Real Madrid in the semis. Bayern Munich claims the fourth spot. Some great European football ahead, with the breeze of the World Cup just beyond.

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